Summary
Nov. 4. Thermometer 53°. Mr Pierpont's Church.–We went this afternoon to the Rev. Mr Pierpont's church, and heard him preach an excellent sermon. The dissatisfaction of part of his congregation with his exertions in the temperance cause has diminished the numbers who attend his ministrations. It also rained horribly, which in Boston thins all audiences.
Home Education.–In visiting a friend this evening, an influential man, we found that he entertains very enlightened views regarding what constitutes education, and what is necessary to be done in improving it, for the true interests of the United States.
He advances the instruction of his sons in a way at once simple, agreeable, and efficacious. In the evening after tea, when the family are enjoying the quiet comfort of the winter fire-side, he desires one of his sons to read from the daily newspaper the list of ships which have arrived in the port of Boston; it specifies the places from which they have come, and the nature of the cargo. He then asks one to point out the place in the map, and to tell the latitude and longitude; another is requested to assign a reason why it brings that particular cargo from that port. This leads to an explanation of the climate, soil, and natural productions of that part of the globe; this is often followed up by details concerning the religion, government, manners, and customs of the people.
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- Notes on the United States of North America during a Phrenological Visit in 1838–39–40 , pp. 168 - 218Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010